More than 300 airstrikes blighted the Gaza Strip on Saturday, with targets including a police compound and the prime minister's Hamas headquarters.

According to Israel's Haaretz newspaper, the state's Interior Minister Eli Yishai said on Saturday that the "goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages."

Palestinian officials said that 12 had died in the Israeli attacks, which were launched in retaliation to more than 100 militant-fired rockets, which targeted Tel Aviv, Israel's largest city, following previous attacks on the city and on Jerusalem.

Smoke rises after an Israeli forces strike in Gaza City

According to the Israeli military, a missile shield called "iron dome" knocked one of the Tel Aviv-bound rockets out of the sky, the defense system having already been deployed to great affect in the southern part of the state.

International leaders called for a cease-fire, with Egypt hosting leaders from Qatar, Turkey and Hamas in the hope of ending the violence.

On Saturday afternoon, protesters gathered outside the Israeli embassy in London to condemn the British Government's stance on the growing conflict.

Protesters gather close to the Israeli embassy in London

With placards, flags and chants, the activists in London branded Israel a "terror state", claiming solidarity with the besieged people of the Palestinian enclave.

Organisers claimed that "thousands" of protesters had joined the rally, but reports suggest the number was much less.

Sarah Colborne, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said protesters wanted to show they were "vehemently opposed" to the Foreign Office's position.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators demanded the UK uphold international law

She said: "We are insisting that the British Government uphold international law and human rights and tells Israel to end its war now.

"It's very clear what is happening here - Gaza is under siege, Israel started this by assassinating the person who was trying to negotiate a long-term truce with Israel.

"It's very clear who started this and who is suffering - 39 Palestinians have been killed so far and over 390 have been wounded.

"This war has to stop."

The crowds waved Palestinian flags, pounded drums and sang "Gaza we will never let you die" and "From London to Ramallah organise the intifada".

Throughout the afternoon more and more people joined the demonstration and lined both sides of Kensington High Street in front of the road leading to the embassy.

Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian Authority's envoy to the UK, said: "At the popular level we have always been accustomed to see people supporting the Palestinian plight (in Britain).

"But we are very frustrated with the UK Government on its stand in supporting Israel in defending itself.

"How could an occupying force defend itself when they are occupying a land and putting 1.8 million Palestinians in a small strip under siege and blockade for five years?

"They have been living in an open air prison and the international community is watching the Israelis killing the Palestinians and inflicting so much damage on them and their properties without outright condemnation by these governments that claim to be democratic."

Hassassian said Israel was "digging its grave" and that the conflict heralded the "beginning of the end" for the Jewish state.

Cars often honked their horns as they drove through the crowds, many of whom wore checkered Palestinian keffiyeh scarves.

Hamas' headquarters in Gaza have been targeted by Israeli air strikes

Palestinian nationals mixed with members of Islamic organisations and supporters of groups such as the Stop The War coalition.

Commenting on why she was there, Kate Hudson, general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said: "Above all we want to make it clear that we deplore the approach of our Government, which is to stand aside and effectively condone what is taking place in Gaza today.

"Our own Prime Minister has described Gaza in the past as a prison camp so how can it be now that they stand aside and do nothing?"

On Saturday, the Israeli leadership called up 75,000 army reservists and stationed troops and tanks along the border in a clear signal that the government was contemplating a ground invasion into Gaza.

The move follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's warning that his country is prepared to extend its operation against Hamas, sparking fears of a repeat of the ground incursion four years ago in which hundreds died.

Children's charity Unicef appealed for the "utmost restraint" from both sides to save more youngsters from death after six Palestinian children aged between 10 months and 15 years were killed by airstrikes.

Israeli soldiers examine a damaged wall of a house hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip

On Saturday, Labour MP Douglas Alexander said it was time for the United Nations to get directly involved.

"What is needed now is an immediate end to the violence. We urge the UN Secretary General to visit the region this week to begin talks with all parties, and with partners in the region," he said.

"There must now be a full-scale diplomatic initiative, led by the UN Secretary General himself, to try and bring this conflict to an end.

"The only hope for peace and security for the citizens of the region will be through re-starting the stalled negotiations towards agreeing a two state solution."

In a statement, Unicef said it was "deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Gaza and Israel and its impact on children.

"Both rocket attacks and airstrikes are putting children and their families at risk, leaving them exposed to physical harm and mental distress.

David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague have urged both Israel and the Palestinians to make efforts to halt the violence.

But they made clear they thought Hamas bears the greatest responsibility for the current crisis, as well as the ability to bring it most swiftly to an end.

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A Palestinian man walks among debris after an Israeli airstrike at Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's office in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to target government and police compounds and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Palestinian firefighters work at the scene of an Israeli air strike on a building in the Jebaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to include government and police compounds, militant leaders residences and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Palestinians collect their belongings in the rubble of a destroyed house after an Israeli airstrike in the Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to include government and police compounds, militant leaders residences and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Palestinian firefighters work at the scene of an Israeli air strike on a building in the Jebaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to include government and police compounds, militant leaders residences and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Palestinians inspect the rubble of a destroyed house after an Israeli airstrike in the Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to include government and police compounds, militant leaders residences and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Palestinian firefighters work at the scene of an Israeli air strike on a building in the Jebaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to include government and police compounds, militant leaders residences and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Palestinian firefighters work at the scene of an Israeli air strike on a building in the Jebaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to include government and police compounds, militant leaders residences and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Palestinian firefighters work at the scene of an Israeli air strike on a building in the Jebaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to include government and police compounds, militant leaders residences and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Palestinians inspect the damage at Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's office after being destroyed during an overnight Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip with more than 180 airstrikes early Saturday, widening a blistering assault on militant operations to target government and police compounds and a vast network of smuggling tunnels. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

FILE - Iin this Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 file photo, a firefighter uses a stretcher during an evacuation drill in Tel Aviv, Israel. The freewheeling seaside oasis of Tel Aviv has long served as an escape from the troubles of everyday Israel. But now, for the first time ever, Israel's financial and cultural capital is also the target of Iranian-made rockets fired by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

This May 5, 2012 photo shows the Tel Aviv skyline. The freewheeling seaside oasis of Tel Aviv has long served as an escape from the troubles of everyday Israel. But in Nov. 2012, for the first time ever, Israel's financial and cultural capital is also the target of Iranian-made rockets fired by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/dapd, Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert)

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 file photo, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves the room after delivering a statement to the media in Tel Aviv, Israel. The freewheeling seaside oasis of Tel Aviv has long served as an escape from the troubles of everyday Israel. Thanks partly to its vibrant nightlife and balmy climate, its also developed an international reputation as a fun place to visit _ and one of the few places in the Middle East where gays feel free to walk hand-in-hand and kiss in public. Now, for the first time ever, Tel Aviv is also the target of Iranian-made rockets fired by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.(AP Photo/Dan Balilty, File)

Palestinians inspect the rubble of the destroyed house of Hamas militant Mohammad Abu Shmala, following an Israeli air strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012.(AP Photo/Eyad Baba)

Israeli soldiers with armored vehicles gather in a staging ground near the border with Gaza Strip, southern Israel, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Fierce clashes between Israeli forces and Gaza militants are continuing for the third day.(AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Israeli soldiers with armored vehicles gather in a staging ground near the border with Gaza Strip, southern Israel, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Fierce clashes between Israeli forces and Gaza militants are continuing for the third day.(AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

A Palestinian Hamas militant walks in the rubble of the destroyed house of Hamas militant Mohammad Abu Shmala, following an Israeli air strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012.(AP Photo/Eyad Baba)

Israeli soldiers examine a damaged wall of a house hit by a rocked fired from the Gaza Strip at Be'er Tuvia Regional Council, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Fierce clashes between Israeli forces and Gaza militants are continuing for the third day. (AP Photo / Tsafrir Abayov)

Israeli soldiers examine a damaged wall of a house hit by a rocked fired from the Gaza Strip at Be'er Tuvia Regional Council, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Fierce clashes between Israeli forces and Gaza militants are continuing for the third day. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

A Palestinian child inspects the damage to a mosque after an Israeli airstrike in Beit Hanoun, north Gaza, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Israel offered to suspend its offensive in the Gaza Strip on Friday during a brief visit by Egypt's premier there if militants refrain from firing rockets at Israel, an official said, but the Palestinians unleashed a fresh salvo. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

An explosion is seen in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli attack, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Fierce clashes between Israeli forces and Gaza militants are continuing for the third day.(AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)